Jury convicts man of armed robbery, burglary

Published: Friday, August 1, 2008 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 5:53 p.m.

OCALA — A jury on Tuesday found a convicted felon -- who has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1992 -- guilty of armed robbery and armed burglary, counts that both carry a maximum life sentence.

The state is seeking habitual offender status for James E. McNair, 35, which allows for an extended term of imprisonment.

Circuit Judge David Eddy will set a sentencing date once a pre-sentence investigation is complete.

McNair was accused of robbing The Big Midget Grocery Store, located at 1107 NW 10th Street, in December 2006. He and a co-accomplice entered the store carrying guns and wearing ski masks, according to the police report.

The owner of the store, Jaymini Patel, was robbed of $2,000 in cash.

The robbery was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.

A warrant for McNair’s arrest was not issued until March 2007 after his co-defendant was jailed for a separate incident and told authorities about the December 2006 robbery.

In 1992, McNair was convicted of strong armed robbery and burglary of a conveyance with battery, according to court records. He has several other open cases pending, including a case that involves two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and armed robbery and another case that involves a strong armed robbery.

<p>OCALA  A jury on Tuesday found a convicted felon -- who has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1992 -- guilty of armed robbery and armed burglary, counts that both carry a maximum life sentence.</p><p> The state is seeking habitual offender status for James E. McNair, 35, which allows for an extended term of imprisonment.</p><p> Circuit Judge David Eddy will set a sentencing date once a pre-sentence investigation is complete.</p><p> McNair was accused of robbing The Big Midget Grocery Store, located at 1107 NW 10th Street, in December 2006. He and a co-accomplice entered the store carrying guns and wearing ski masks, according to the police report. </p><p> The owner of the store, Jaymini Patel, was robbed of $2,000 in cash.</p><p> The robbery was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.</p><p> A warrant for McNair’s arrest was not issued until March 2007 after his co-defendant was jailed for a separate incident and told authorities about the December 2006 robbery.</p><p> In 1992, McNair was convicted of strong armed robbery and burglary of a conveyance with battery, according to court records. He has several other open cases pending, including a case that involves two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and armed robbery and another case that involves a strong armed robbery.</p>